Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling, Hartlepool United players and fans react to 1-0 win at Notts County to take the side second in the National League table

Three straight wins over the festive period have shot Pools up from the midtable positions with Luke Armstrong’s 19th-minute strike proving the difference at Meadow Lane on Monday afternoon.

Pools did ride their luck late on as Notts County had an 89th-minute goal controversially disallowed for offside, just moments after the home side were reduced to 10-men.

Ben Turner’s high foot on Mason Bloomfield was the fifth red card Pools have seen their opponents receive in the last four matches.

But after a difficult year, Pools will be ending 2020 sitting second in the National League table – the highest league position the club have ended a calendar year in since 2002.

Here’s how players and fans reacted to the win on Twitter…

Club President and Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling said: “Nine points from three games. What a Xmas present. Thanks to all @Official_HUFC. Boys face everything today. Hope they get a day or two off now!”

Midfielder Gavan Holohan tweeted: “Not a bad 6 days for Poolies...to a man different class people running on empty but found a way #9From9.”

Rhys oates commented after picking up his third straight man of the match award: “Could have been any one of us today! Great team effort to grind out the result and make it 3 in 3.”

Tom Crawford was delighted to pick up three points on his return to Meadow Lane: “All the boys ran themselves into the ground today from start to finish, most playing on empty. Huge 3pts on the road and up to second in the league.”

Pools fan @RonnieC57573136 said: “Helped by the ref according to Neal Ardley. An excellent win, the sort than can go on to define the rest of the season.”

Andy McCormack posted: “Fantastic result! Great goal! Great work rate. Defended for their lives and rode their luck but 3 pts and 2nd place. Well played Pools!”

@paulkeay: “WHAT A WIN THAT IS!!! The most torturous 45 minutes of football ever but a fantastic performance from the boys!!!”

Paul Stoddart: “What a result that is. Can’t say we haven’t had the rub of the green in the last few games, with a helping of fight and skill. 9 from 9 over Xmas. Not many expected that I’d guess #2ndtop.”

@MbwLdurham: “Unbelievable, we rode our luck, but about time we had the rub of the green, unbelievable result, what a roll we’re on, and 2nd, best Christmas following Pools for many a year.”

@k7vin11: “Deserve a beer on the way home every single one of those players, credit to the club today.”

Alan Jackson: “3 games in 6 days , Notts no games in 14 days no wonder we were under a lot of pressure 2nd half. Brilliant defending and our goalkeeper not having to make any big saves says everything about Pools’ will to win.”

@Danthom03: “Couldn’t watch the game, but for a Pools side to hold on to a clean sheet whilst 1-0 up against perhaps the best side in the league, for 70 mins, I can’t help but feel immensely proud. Previous Pools sides would have crumbled under the pressure.”

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